New Delhi, August 16 (HS): Marking a decade of their Special Strategic Partnership, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar on Saturday held wide-ranging talks with his South Korean counterpart, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, in New Delhi. The discussions underscored the growing synergy between the two Asian democracies at a time of shifting global power dynamics, with the leaders committing to deepen ties across trade, technology, defence, clean energy, and the Indo-Pacific.

In a statement reflecting the upbeat trajectory in relations, Jaishankar said, “Delighted to meet FM South Korea Cho Hyun this morning. Held productive discussions on advancing our bilateral cooperation in trade, manufacturing, maritime & people-to-people exchanges as well as new opportunities in AI, semiconductors, clean energy and defence.”

Both sides also exchanged perspectives on pressing regional and global developments, particularly within the strategic Indo-Pacific theatre. “Appreciated our deepening convergences and growing engagement as our Special Strategic Partnership completes 10 years,” the EAM noted.

A Relationship Entering a New Phase

The high-level engagement comes as India and South Korea celebrate ten years since upgrading their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2015, a framework that has facilitated close cooperation in economic, defence, and security spheres.

Welcoming Foreign Minister Cho on his maiden visit to India, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed the enduring strength of the partnership. “India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership remains strong and geared towards the future,” Jaiswal posted.

For Seoul, the visit reflects South Korea’s renewed outreach to India as a key partner in Asia and beyond. Ahead of the trip, South Korea’s Deputy Minister for Public Affairs, Lee Jaewoong, told reporters, “With this year marking the 10th anniversary of the Korea-India Special Strategic Partnership, the two sides will discuss ways to boost exchanges and cooperation with a view to deepening bilateral ties.”

From Semiconductors to Security: A Wide Agenda

The dialogue between Jaishankar and Cho Hyun spanned both traditional and emerging domains. Central to the talks were trade and investment — already robust but seen as possessing untapped potential — alongside future-focused sectors like artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and renewable energy.

Defence and maritime cooperation featured prominently as well, underlining the converging security priorities of both nations in ensuring a “free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” a concept both India and South Korea strongly support in the face of rising geopolitical contestations.

Continued High-Level Engagements

This meeting follows a series of top-level exchanges in recent months. On July 28, Jaishankar and Cho Hyun had their first telephone conversation, during which Cho reaffirmed Seoul’s strong commitment to expanding ties. Earlier, South Korean leadership had stressed closer cooperation with India during bilateral engagements on the margins of the G7 Summit in Canada and during Seoul’s high-level delegation visit to New Delhi in July.

Cho’s visit to India, lasting from August 15 to 17, carries symbolic weight — beginning as it did on India’s Independence Day and coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of the partnership.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar